Family Christian

“The Lord God called to the man, and said to him, "Where are you?" He said, "I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid." Genesis 3:9,10

Fear accompanies the feeling of aloneness. Like a child attending a new school, people who are alone can be anxious and unsure. Aloneness attacks celebrities flush with fame and single parents reeling from a ravaged relationship. Indeed, isolation increases when someone choses to isolate themselves from relational risk. The downside of not venturing out to engage community can cause a crisis of faith. It is not good to be alone.

Ironically, a person can feel lonesome even while surrounded by people. Close proximity to a caring community does not guarantee the sense of belonging. Are you suffering from the feeling of insecurity in your aloneness? Have you drifted from connection to concerned confidants or deserted spiritual disciplines? Do you acknowledge the Lord’s pursuit of your affections? His desire is to flush out your fear and replace it with faith.

“Why do you pursue me as God does?” Job 19:22a

There may be loved ones that long to love you out of your secluded state of mind. If you are a spouse quietly suffering by yourself, take a risk and open up to your husband or wife. Don’t let the shame of your sticky situation bar you from bearing your soul. Men especially can hold in concerns for fear of being perceived as weak, or incapable of carrying out their responsibilities. But freedom comes by not concealing, but by revealing your feelings. So, don’t maintain a stoic image and miss intimate encounters with others.

Most of all let the Lord love you in and through your loneliness. There is no need to try to hide from His presence, because He is ever present. It is vain to run from His watchful eye, because He is always on the look out for you. Wise are we not to seclude ourselves from our Savior’s sensitive spirit. Stay enlisted in the Lord’s service—experience His miraculous works of grace. Invite into your life God’s love and feel His warm embrace. Christ followers are not alone—you are a part of His body, created for companionship.

“The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to remain alone.” Genesis 2:18a

“You have put gladness in my heart,?more than in the season that their grain and wine increased.” Psalm 4:7 NKJV

There is a gladness God gives that cannot be generated by the world. His Spirit brings a smile to a face that faces fiery trials. Jesus gives joy in a job loss or the jettison of an opportunity. The Lord puts gladness in the heart of His children when they hurt or do not feel well. His wellspring of cheerfulness comes in a close relationship with Christ. Indeed, when mortality rubs shoulders with immortality there is an abiding enjoyment.

Happiness based on circumstances comes and goes based on the whims of the world, but God’s gladness is consistent. We can be sad at the state of our affairs and still be glad in God. Grief and joy coexist in Christ as He mourns and rejoices with us. A heart in touch with Jesus needs His truth and comfort. If we obsess over obstacles out of our control we strive in discontent; sad. When we leave the results to God we are content; glad.

“In that day they will say, “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the LORD, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.” Isaiah 25:9

Furthermore, there is a great gladness that comes by simply and regularly celebrating your salvation in Jesus Christ. Is this old news to you or has your soul never gotten over its freedom from sin and hell and its liberty in the Lord? The good news of your eternal redemption and abundant life in Christ is cause for raucous celebration. Gratitude creates gladness. Appreciation to the Almighty is a recipe for genuine joy.

Lastly, the grace of God is at work in people and in ways we have yet to experience. The evidence of His amazing grace is all around us. Your children, family and friends who have remained true to the faith make you glad. Their smiles make you smile. Their laughs makes you laugh. Their happiness makes you happy. You invested in others spiritually, emotionally and financially—now you are blessed with a harvest of happiness. Above all else, because God has made you glad, your gladness is a gift you give for Him.

“When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.” Acts 11:23

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for your gift of gladness, may I give it generously.

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance.” Psalm 33:12

God blesses a nation because of its prayers, not its power. He blesses a nation because of its character, not its commerce. He blesses a nation because of its trust in Him, not its advanced technology. God blesses a nation because of its fear of the Lord, not its fear of man. God blesses a nation who loves God and expresses that love in caring for the impoverished and diseased. God blesses a nation because of His church, not the size of that nation’s economy.

Prosperity may be the result of a God-fearing nation, but it is not the cause. People believe in God when they get enough of themselves and realize there has to be more to this life than simply meeting their every need. God blesses a nation when individuals gather corporately in vibrant Christian worship; the church is God’s means to awaken a nation. Nations who try to control the church lose God’s blessing. God’s blessing cannot be governed.

Every time government intercedes to manage faith, the faithful become more marginalized. Countries that restrict church competition and rely on a state-church monopoly miss the mark. The church is meant to be released to restore the ravished character of culture. Christians are “salt and light” (Matthew 5:13-14) in the midst of decayed and darkened nations. When believers gather together in a bond of love they create a thirst for righteousness and shed light on the ways of the Lord.

Wise nations encourage competition among churches. Freedom of religion feeds faithfulness in God. God expects His church to grow and engage with the culture. This is how He changes a nation. When countries have church choices, they can compare and choose what is best for their families. A church that drifts into irrelevance and isolation is of little concern to Satan. He wants religion to come across as ambiguous and antiquated. Churches that are alive and well serve a mighty and compassionate Christ.

These types of trusting institutions make a difference in their communities. A church that is alive and growing becomes a catalyst for good things. Indeed, God blesses nations where the church is allowed to compete. Stewardship trumps entitlement. Sick churches are not kept alive by outside funding. They either change or close. God blesses nations when His bride’s worship is alive, engaging, and relevant.

Therefore, avoid churches where membership is just a status symbol. Attend church where God is loved and feared, and worship where you see the Lord high and lifted up. Soak up the teachings of the Bible that transforms your life. Band together with a group of believers who are disciples and who disciple others in the faith. Choose a body of believers where the character lessons you teach your children at home converge with their small group lessons on Sunday. If church is not working for you, then pray to find one that works best in this season of life.

God blesses nations who humbly seek Him. “…if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Taken from July 4th reading in the 365-day devotional book, “Seeking Daily the Heart of God”… http://bit.ly/bQHNIE

Post/Tweet this today: God blesses a nation because of its prayers, not its power. #prayer #power

The other day, after I was working in my garden, I was sitting by our dinning room table enjoying time with our family. After sitting there for a while, I felt something crawling up my leg. Now living here in the South, the possibility of getting a "carry-on" from outside is pretty common. Regardless of what it was, I am glad that it was on my leg as opposed to being on my head or some place worse.

As I looked at the little fella, I became a little curious by him. He, I am sure it was a he, was quite small. Round-ish, with some sort of black "armor" type of exoskeleton thing. He was not biting me, just sitting there in the hair of my leg.

I picked him up.
He fell on the floor.

I picked him up again.
Again, he fell on the floor.

Almost like he was playing dead. Or playing with me. Not like a dog plays with his owner, but like a cat plays with a mouse, and I was the mouse.

I think to some extent this was his defense mechanism. Almost a "if-I-fall-to-the-ground-no-one-will-notice-me" attitude.
"Just forget about me."
"Don't think about me anymore."
"I am nothing."
"See, just a speck on the ground."
"Don't worry. It's almost like I am not even here anymore."
Hmmmm. Doesn't that remind you of someone?

Here is the truth. The devil doesn't want us to believe in him anymore. He wants us to just forget about him. To not worry about the little stuff. Because if we forget about him, then we won't be surprised by the fact that he has taken over so many areas of our lives.

Remember, satan is a beautiful creature, and he can disguise himself incredibly well.
What are you being tempted by right now?
Is it beautiful?
Is it valuable?
Does it sound good?
Can it make you feel good?

Let me remind you of something. Satan has no power over you. If you are in Christ, you are free. Keep in mind that "our adversary, the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). We have to keep our eyes open to really see him. So the call on our lives is to "put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil (Eph 6:11). The choice here is will you give into the temptation or not.

So what happened to the bug? He is gone. Forever. After the fourth time falling from my finger, I brought him to the porcelain bowl. Flushed down the drain.

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

A nation that prays pays forward a faithful legacy to the next generation. But a prayerless nation jeopardizes the favor of God for future families. Indeed, when a people “progress” past prayer in their psyche, pride has captured their hearts. Only humility can conquer the enemy of estrangement from Almighty God. Yes, a posture that kneels in submission to the eternal Sovereign, Jesus Christ, is positioned to hear from heaven and be healed.

Our nation exhibits humility when we recognize a National Day of Prayer and observe its solemnity in quiet reflection on the roots of our religion. This day is more than symbolic of a nation brought to its knees because of its neediness. It is a day of dependency that sets the stage for the following days of the year. A group of states that dedicate a day to Christ state that they need a savior for their sins. Prayer pronounces its desire for God.

“So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said to him, “This is what the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, says: ‘How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me? Let my people go, so that they may worship me.” Exodus 10:3

Will we stand by in silence as public figures who humbly pray to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ are mocked by some? Or will we join them in prayer in our homes, at work, in a restaurant, at sporting events and during civic gatherings? Shyness is the excuse of those who are scarred. Humble prayer births in us a holy boldness that expresses itself in joyful praise of Jesus. Yes, some will scorn us, but it is better to be known as being courageous for Christ.

The soul of a nation with a prayerful persona is sensitive to sin. Bad behavior is not ignored or excused. Fiscal stewardship, integrity and relational purity are the norm, not the exception. A country with a conscience invites the blessing of Almighty God. Thus, do your part by gathering your family together in confession and repentance to Christ.

Healing comes to a homeland that sees righteousness as the remedy for its ills. Wave the banner of belief in God over your personal and professional life for His glory. Contrite prayer begins with the Lord’s people in His house of worship. His people humble themselves first because they know better—they are responsible to live righteously. Your life is a light for the Lord, so shine brightly for your Savior Jesus. Pray He heals our land.

“He said, “If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.” Exodus 15:26 Prayer: Heavenly Father, I bow in humble adoration, please heal our land for Your sake.

“As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.” 2 Corinthians 6:1

There is a vanity associated with someone who has been saved by the grace of God, but who does not appropriate the grace of God. Ironically, they believe in Jesus for the forgiveness of their sin, but they do not behave like they believe. Pride has a way of working itself back into the good graces of a life that is not governed by God’s grace. Humility, on the other hand, flourishes in the hothouse of a heart that appreciates and applies God’s grace.

We are all in danger of forgetting how faith in Christ changed us and brought us into a place of grace. The flesh forges ahead of faith and facilitates graceless living. Before we know it we are back to bad habits, putting grace on the back burner of our belief. Hence, we need reminders of the transformational work of the Holy Spirit that seizes the heart of a life in submission to Almighty God. Grace empowers a humble heart.

Furthermore, grace becomes vain when it is crushed under the weight of loveless legalism. Grace converts knowledge about God into knowing God. You are protected from man-made rules that grasp God’s glory when you use grace as a filter for your faith building. For example, your family may need your financial support, so make sure you do not feed the poor in Africa and ignore your relatives at home. Legalism is hard and inflexible—grace is gentle and moldable. Legalism lacks compassion—grace gives grace.

Graceless living loses Christians creditability. Are you a church member who gossips in the name of prayer or are you a gracious saint who prays with quiet confidentiality? Are you a religious person who holds a grudge or are you a gracious Jesus follower who forgives freely? Are you a proud and self-centered believer or a sinner saved by grace? Praise the Lord, that we the redeemed are a container and dispenser of God’s grace. You are a cherished co-worker with Christ—His grace grows in your humble, teachable heart.

“But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “ GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.” James 4:6, NASB

Prayer: Heavenly Father, by faith I receive Your grace, so I can extend Your grace.

Though you probe my heart, though you examine me at night and test me, you will find that I have planned no evil; my mouth has not transgressed. Psalm 17:3

God’s spirit is interested in probing our hearts. He knows the heart is the source of our speech and conduct. The heart can conceal our anger or release it in Christ-honoring conversation. Unreleased anger is ugly. It eventually comes out in damaging portions. If our heart goes unexamined, then we drift into a sick state of denial. We lose touch with reality and lead others into our wrong thinking. On the other hand, a healthy heart keeps us honest and engaged. It is the tender touch of Jesus that reminds us to look inward. If we don’t manage our motives and confess our sins, we create a mess. Our hearts can be a hindrance or a conduit for Christ-centered living. So how do we exercise the Spirit’s examination of our heart and soul? What is necessary to make sure we come under the scrutiny of our Savior Jesus? How do we get to the heart of the matter?

A heart probe by God does not happen accidentally. It occurs intentionally. Just as we daily determine to take care of the physical dimension of our heart, so we are instructed to exercise our spiritual condition. Appointments, good or bad activities, and life responsibilities can all crowd out our candid conversations with Christ. So margin for our Master is a must. We cannot spend all of our time doing the work of God while ignoring the voice of God. Goodworks from an unguarded heart only give an illusion of selfless service. Our works cannot resolve a conflicted heart. It is only under microscopic probing by the Holy Spirit that we see ourselves for who we truly are. Sometimes selfishness comes into focus. Other times timidity surfaces because we are afraid of conflict. It is in these moments of discovery that we invite God’s grace to enter and heal our hurting heart.

Our words, or the lack thereof, are evidence of what dwells in our heart. Sometimes the Holy Spirit checks our heart and moves us to silence. Trust trumps the trouble we face, and we exhibit long suffering with the Lord and other people. This is a heart of faith. Other times, the Spirit prompts us to speak up. We are unclear of the outcome but He gives us the courage to converse. This is a heart of boldness. Whether in silence or speech, it is the Holy Spirit that governs a heart controlled by Christ. Therefore, do not allow your words to get ahead of your heart. Don’t speak your mind until your heart has been examined and set free by the Spirit. Sometimes a simple good night’s sleep brings perspective into focus. Bare your soul before your Savior before you boldly confront others.

Your heart probe may come from a variety of exercises. It may be a prescription of perpetual prayer that penetrates your heart with grace and forgiveness. It may be the treadmill of trust that builds endurance and creates within you a stronger heart of faith. Sometimes our Savior’s stethoscope of conviction discovers sin that needs confession and repentance. Above all else, lay your heart before the Lord. Ask others to validate the Lord’s probing and promptings. Resolve, by God’s grace, to keep short sin accounts. A Spirit-probed heart produces right speech, spoken the right way. Effectiveness on behalf of our heavenly Father hinges on a healthy heart. Therefore, allow the Lord to examine it often. The Spirit’s scripts are just what we need. Administer them daily.

Taken from Reading #11 in the 90-day devotional book, “Seeking God in the Psalms”… http://bit.ly/bQHNIE

“What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?” Romans 6:1-2

Grace is a gift from God, one that requires responsible and wise stewardship. Grace is not a license to sin but permission to live. Grace is all about living for God and walking with Him. It engages with eternity by approaching God’s throne of grace with gratitude, awe, and boldness. God’s grace is a guarantee of eternal life. It is absolutely amazing because Christ collateralizes it. There has never been a shortage of your Savior’s grace.

No group or individual has ever made a run on heaven’s grace account. You can go to the bank with God’s grace. It is as everlasting as the Lord. However, though unlimited in supply, it may be the most underused resource available. People miss grace when they thrash and stumble about in their own strength. They apply bad theology. They believe in salvation by grace through faith, but drift into living on their own strength. Demons must chuckle when they observe Christians applying dead works.

Working to earn God’s favor after receiving salvation is as futile as it was before salvation. Do not fall into the trap of graceless living for grace is God’s remedy for the self-indulgent. Grace values community with people and communing with Christ. There is a spirit of acceptance and peace with those who receive and apply God’s grace often.

Learn to use grace responsibly. Grace is not a safety net for your fall into sin, for sin still has its consequences. Grace is not an excuse to sin and is not your pass for disobedience. Judgment, both harsh and extreme, is the natural outcome for graceless Christians. Grace is, more than anything, an honorable motivation for your attitude and actions. Without grace, you gravitate toward pride for not sinning. Yes, grace is a governor on your behavior, while never promoting pride.

Grace means you have a stewardship of wise choices to manage for the Lord. It gives you permission to be free in Christ, but your freedom is for Him. His kingdom agenda is what drives grace. Grace integrates all of life around faith. Christ does not compartmentalize the sacred from the secular. Grace includes, it doesn’t exclude. It discloses rather than hides. Sin is subservient to your Savior’s grace.

Grace gives you the perspective and power for forgiveness and honesty. It is the delivery channel of truth. Grace is your excuse for extending forgiveness and second and third chances—and more—to culprits. Use grace to remove sin’s stain from the fiber of your faith. Indeed, as you extend grace, you are more likely to receive grace. Be responsible with grace and you will be trusted with more. Grace saved you from sin; so don’t go back to your pre-grace condition. Because of grace, you are free from sin, not free to sin. Therefore, be a responsible and gracious follower of Christ.

Taken from June 26th reading in the 365-daydevotional book, “Seeking Daily the Heart of God”… http://bit.ly/bQHNIE

Post/Tweet thistoday: Because of grace, you are free from sin, not free to sin. #grace #sin

In Christ there is hope; outside of Christ there is no hope. Those focused on heaven find hope; those focused on earth find hope illusive. A life lived by faith is hopeful, but a life lived in fear is hopeless. Hope is not just the outcome of an optimist, it is the fruit of those whose security is in their Savior Jesus Christ. Moreover, money messes with the mind as it demands full allegiance to the almighty dollar in exchange for a false hope.

However, we discover authentic hope and freedom in our submission to Christ as Lord and Master of our fate. Deep abiding hope is not a strategy, but a reality when we bow in reverent obedience to God. He does not tease His children with pseudo promises. On the contrary, our heavenly Father gave what was most precious to Him, His Son, so we could become sons and daughters of the most High. Indeed, hope is a gift from God.

“He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” Romans 8:32

Where is the root of your hope grounded? In your job or Jesus? With friends or faith? In your home or heaven? In earthly riches or the riches of God’s grace? Satan cannot steal the seed of hope when you plant it in the soil of Scripture. Your hope in Christ is not conditional to circumstances; rather it thrives on trust when assaulted by ambiguity. You move from hopelessness to hopefulness when what matters most, matters the most.

Therefore, be hopeful as a child of God. Your hope in Christ is an advertisement for the Almighty. Those with no hope are attracted to the genuine hope in your heart. Indeed, you are hopeful, because of the origin of your optimism, and the greater purpose of your hope is to bring hope to the hopeless. Suicide shrivels with the prospect of hope. Faith comes alive in Christ and His loving acceptance. Praise the Lord that your hope is alive!

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” 1 Peter 1:3

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I embrace Your living hope in Christ, thanks for our hope in Him.

“Paul went to see them [Pricilla and Aquila], and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.” Acts 18:2b-4

Business is an excuse to be an excellent example of a Jesus follower. It is a professional platform to perform good deeds and exhibit integrity in business interactions. The sacred and secular are partners in business as a Kingdom mission models actions that speak louder than words. When work exceeds the industry standard, people begin to ask “Why?” Indeed, a company that acknowledges Christ as the owner is positioned for God’s favor.

Do the values of your company mirror the heart of Jesus? Are honesty, humility and hard work embraced as everyday virtues to live out? Are team members quick to serve, find solutions and give positive feedback? If our work culture reflects the character of Christ we will attract team members with the character, competency and chemistry to take the company to the next level. Great people are not motivated by money alone, but by a mission much greater than themselves. Greatness comes to a company with a greater purpose.

“You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.” 2 Corinthians 3:2-3

Is your real mission just to make money or is it to transform lives? Is going the second mile service to the customer the creed of your culture or are they seen merely as a means to a financial end? An enterprise that glorifies God with outstanding service and superior products will produce fruit that remains. Become better and you will become bigger for the right reasons. Your work done well is a testament to God’s grace, faithfulness and favor.

Furthermore, a leader who submits to the Lord does not lord it over other team members. There is a gratitude that governs a humble leader’s heart so that they lead and manage out of appreciation and accountability, not as an intimidating, autocratic ruler. Even if a supervisor or employee does not believe in Jesus they can still behave like Jesus. When we create a culture friendly to faith, we grow a team of people who have faith in each other.

Therefore, be intentional to integrate Scriptural principles into your life and work. Use your business or ministry to make life better for people and people better for life. Be bold to tastefully and professionally pray for people. Give time off for team members to invest in their marriages and travel on mission trips. Grow leaders who will pour into their teams. Dedicate your company to Christ and He will determine your steps for success.

“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” Proverbs 16:9

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I dedicate Your company to You, for Your purposes.